Archdevil Among Heroes

[II]

||The Archdevil is a Fluff Addict||

"Tamae, for the love of god, explain to me how I can brush your tail if it keeps slapping my face."

It wasn't a statement filled with malice or annoyance. The other way around, in fact, since Lucifer was very fond towards anything fluffy. And nothing was as lustrous as the one tail belonging to Tamamo no Mae, a Kitsune who was affectionately nicknamed 'Tamae' by the Archdevil.

"Hmm? Maybe you would've liked it if it was that cat from earlier hmm? Would you have liked it then?! She even has her scent on you!" Tamamo hissed, "Flimsy feline and canine. How could they call themselves heroes when their dress can put a Succubus to shame?!"

"Thats— that's a fair point." Lucifer murmured, articulately, for he was as well-articulated an Archdevil as he was sharply dressed. "Janey's not that different. Her old armor looked more protective, what with it actually covering her chest and stomach and all - as an armor should."

"Not everyone is as strong and mighty and powerful as you are, Danna-sa-ma~!" Tamamo spoke huskily, although her sensualness was rather diminished by her 500 words per minute rambling: "Evidently they are not as insightful either to leave blatant weak spots in their armor — but aha~! Who cares about their flimsy padding and overconfidence in their abilities? I care more about you and your well-being Lucifer-sama~ and of course your magical touches and how they are so very gentle and easily soothe my tepid heart—"

"Yes, yes, I appreciate your appreciation, and I would appreciate it more if you could stop bashing my face with your tail."

"Oyaa—?" Sitting happily on his lap, Tamamo glanced back past her naked shoulder, calming down her energetic tail that was equally as happy as her whenever she was by his side, on his side, or on top of him. "But I'm just so giddy you're finally able to spoil me. This nifty vixen has been missing your comforting touch since you keep watching over your empire like it was a child."

"Because it is an infant." Lucifer replied with a warm chuckle, "Ten years is a very young age for a nation. We've passed the fragile period where rebellions and other uprisings were prone to occur; eased the remaining Pillars into cooperating with the country's development; replace slavery with paid labor so the nobles won't get all pissy; and ensured Evil Pieces are distributed to only responsible, level-headed Devils that won't mishandle their 'Servants' or the Evil Pieces. While those niggling matters have been taken care of, one can never be too careful when leading a realm."

Lucifer said in a matter-of-fact kind of tone, gently propping up the thick of her tail with a hand while the other continued on brushing it in one direction only; from the white-furred base to the very tip of her glorious orange brush. Again and again until either the Kitsune fell asleep, or his hands did from excessive brushing.

Which would seem to take forever because his nose kept being swept. "Christ's sake, stop wagging your tail."

"But Aruji-dono, Luci-darling-husband-master-feru, you of all Devils should know my tail possesses a will of its own!" The Kitsune whined, raising the pitch of her voice while clasping her hand like she was either praying or begging, donning a playful pout on her thin lips and a look in her bright golden eyes resembling a kicked puppy. "Must I cut away the last of my tail? I'm not a lizard who can regrow back their tail, don't you know?"

"Not funny. Didn't laugh." Lucifer didn't laugh, because it wasn't funny. Tamamo smiled sheepishly upon realizing the dark undertone of her joke, but then squealed when Lucifer brought her bushy tail to his chest, cuddling it like he would with its owner, "As the Overlord of this nation, I will enforce a law against it."

"Aha~ ! Was that too much? I'm terribly sorry Goshujin-sa-ma, t'was a bad joke."

"You shouldn't have done that." The Devil muttered, sentimental to an extent, mourning for her lost tails he wasn't able to fluff freely like this one. "Why did you have to cut them off? Brush-like tails are meant to be coddled, like this."

Despite him embracing her bushy extension, Tamamo frowned genuinely this time.

"I'm sorry…" She muttered dejectedly. Her sour mood was reflected by the drooping of her fox ears, "Would you have loved me more if I retained all of my nine tails still?"

"Hah!" Lucifer suddenly perked up, always energetic whenever 'love' was brought up into any discussions, "What a silly question! You know my affection to you and all of your tails will stay all the same, be it one or nine! Although should you have nine, I'd assume I would have more parts of you to love. Many brushes I need I'd wager."

"Da-kyuuun~!" Warmth swelled within her chest as Tamamo propped herself off his lap, so that she could pounce into his chest, dropping him to the bed they were sitting at. The hairbrush flung away to the floor.

The Kitsune snaked her arms around his neck to hug him, and nuzzled his broad chest that only had his standard dress shirt covering it.

"Help, help! I'm being oppressed!"

Disregarding his jest, Tamamo tipped her chin up to look at him, staring at him with her eyes that glowed a soft, luminous light, as she then darkened their room through magic; by flicking the lightswitch.

"To have blessed me with such unparalleled affection, truly I am blessed by Amaterasu Kami-sama herself~ which is actually me, so… I'm right in technicality." Tamamo purred joyfully, swishing her tail left and right. It was like a dancing wick of flame. It was almost as hypnotizing as the longing look in her eyes. "If you hadn't been there, Lucifer, I wonder where I might have gone by now? Turned into a murderous, cursing stone that befalls curses to incautious passersby, perhaps?"

Lucifer sighed as he raised his hand, caressing her soft, small cheek with his thumb. Her vulpine features wagged happily as she immediately nuzzled it back happily, putting her own hands over his so she could press her cheek against his rugged palm - unmistakable evidence of the wars he had fought and won.

Her wagging stopped when he asked her with casual concern; "Still the same nightmare, I see."

Tamamo pouted. The Devil was scarily good at reading her concealed mood no matter how chipper she tried to sound. She dropped his hand, and curled into a fetal position on top of his broad torso, resting her head next to his head, and laid it above his shoulder. Her tail tucked into her chest as she held it close to her, making herself even smaller. Lucifer was reasonably tall while Tamamo was reasonably short, and she could use his body as her laying spot easily - which had grown into a habit whenever she felt uneasy, such as this moment.

Lucifer would then caress her cherry pink locks, untying her quirky blue ribbon and letting her hair loose so he could stroke them easier.

"Was I wrong, Lucifer?" She asked. Her voice wasn't in a sing-song tune this time, but instead a low soprano - her real voice, "A goddess, wanting to experience the joy of humans? Was my attempt to love mistaken?"

"'Course not." He hummed. The vibration of his soothing baritone whirred from his chest onto hers. She could listen to it all day. It was a voice to sink in as it wrapped her up, yet vibrating with power and command - the confidence of an Archdevil yet calming like an Archangel. It was a voice with authority as a kindly laughter shook the ground like a quake.

"It's within our nature to protect those who are weaker than us. Well, seemingly weaker." Lucifer corrected himself as Tamamo wasn't necessarily weaker. "We find it odd that they can be so… happy, so to speak, with all their limitations. Perhaps we find beauty in their imperfections. Strange, isn't it? For a creation to be so imperfect yet perfect at the same time?"

Tamamo nipped his dress shirt, nodding once in agreement. "I think it's because their time is limited."

"Whatever it is, it's a shame they need to be cursed in order to have a pair of animal ears. I'm more than inclined to start a religion out of it so they have a reasonable excuse to curse themselves with one."

Puckering her lips, Tamamo flicked one of her ears to 'slap' his chin. "What if I'm without my ears or my tail? What would you do then?"

"Hmmm I would weep for weeks and have nightmares, most likely."

The Kitsune whined worriedly. "I'm not just a pair of fox ears and tail to you am I?!"

"Acceptance is the highest form of love," Lucifer said, reeling back the conversation back to its earlier topic, "and I suppose you wondered how they can accept themselves with all their shortcomings, and eventually find yourself wanting to be accepted if you have those imperfections. Am I right or am I right?"

"...You never cease to amaze me with your deductions. You might as well be the Heroic Spirit of Holmes himself."

"Aha! But those deductions weren't derived without acute observations, dear Watson." Lucifer muttered with pride in his voice, "I've observed mankind since the dawn of their creation and until they became pesky ants crawling all over the earth - and I'm only partly interested in them. Imagine my desire to observe once I discovered the existence of—" Lucifer paused as he shifted his hand over to one of her fox-like ears, feeling its soft fur, "...What're these things called in your native tongue again?"

Tamamo lowered her eyelids, squinting her eyes. "...Kemonomimi. Animalistic features of a humanoid."

"Indeed!" Lucifer beamed like a shining star, "The way they shift to focus towards the source of a sound no matter how small, and how the movement of your tail conveys your feelings; features simply too endearing to miss!"

The Kitsune howled a howl of complaint as Lucifer didn't help in clearing her uneasiness, "Hawaaaa— doesn't that mean you won't find me as attractive without these pairs?!"

"I like thick tails, I cannot lie."

"Lucifer you cruel Devil!"

Sulkily, Tamamo flattened her face over his shirt, moaning like she was crying as she thumped his chest like a bongo drum, flailing her legs. She was crying crocodile tears -or fox tears, perhaps, but in truth, she was simply intoxicating herself with his virile scent, using this situation to her advantage.

"Waaaaah— how could this be? For an adorable avatar of a goddess of the suns to be harassed by a Morning Star?"

"Well the sun isn't the biggest star there is." Lucifer smiled a carefree smile, baring his pearly whites as he took a lock of her hair. He drew it to his lips as he planted a quick kiss. This gentle gesture of his fondness had been one of the many reasons why Tamamo loved him to death.

"You know you'll be as dear to me regardless." That, and because Lucifer wasn't called as the Silver-Tongued Devil without a reason. "...But your ears won't lop off out of the blue, right?"

And his occasional silliness too.

Actually, Tamamo loved every part of him.

Having her spirit lifted once again by him, now with a bright red face, the Kitsune made herself comfy on top of him as she grabbed his wrist with both her hands, bringing his palm back to cup her cheek.

"Oyaa~ you're so big "

The Devil snorted at the innuendo. "Your cheeks are just tiny. Look at these tiny little mushy marshmallows hmm?"

"Don't squeeze my cheeks." She pouted, "And lies. Your hand alone can cover my entire face." Tamamo pointed out as she pulled his hand away, and put it over her face to compare its size. Her lips curled to an impish smile as she placed his palm over the blue clothing above her chest, and pressed it against her skin. "Still isn't large enough to cusp my Mana Banks, however~"

"Pfth—" That joke would never get old - just like the two of them.

As her ears twitched lightly, Lucifer grinned. He knew the direction this whole exchange was heading, especially since Tamamo could be considered as both the neediest and the most affront. He was proven right by her next request.

"Lucifer-sa-ma~ would you kindly tend to my other needs as well?"

"You would like to be tended to." He replied jeeringly, pulling a cheeky smirk of his own, "I need to pack my luggages, Tamae. A fresh new adventure awaits."

"But it won't take long!" Tamamo reasoned, frowning her lips, "Just five minute or so!"

Lucifer raised his dark eyebrow. He looked offended. "Five minute— who do you think I am?!"

"I'm not difficult to please… You clearly bear the knowledge of all of my weak spots, Goshujin-sama~!" Tamamo splayed a delicate finger over his jaw, tracing his jawline, becoming more and more enamored by just staring at his sharp eyes that reminded her of a hawk's. "Is this too much of a request to you? Am I being too depraved? Too needy that it puts you off? Would you have rejected it as well even if it was that feline who made this same approach?"

"To reject the advances of a woman would mean I am fully prepared to hurt her." With a soft, warm smile, Lucifer raised his upper body, surprising her as Tamamo yipped a shrill 'Mikon~!', clutching him tightly so she wouldn't fall off him. "And I would never dare to hurt you, you foxy little temptress."

"Kyaaaunn~" Back into sitting on his lap, and now a breath away from his face and lips, her vulpine ears and tail both waved eagerly in her anticipation. "I'm ready whenever you are, Danna-sama~"

"Lucifer." He said as he pulled down her verdant blue outfit, keeping his eyes laid on hers even as her bosom came into view. "My name is Lucifer."

"Oya~" Blinking surreptitiously, Tamamo leaned in for a kiss as she felt his hand travel to the back of her head. To keep her in place when they kiss, of course, and to play with her hair. Sometimes her ears. Most definitely her ears.

Not that she would mind.

A thrill of excitement shot through her when his tongue teased the seam of her lips, and she parted them open obediently. Her eyes closed as she sucked in his minty breath, and moaned softly once she felt his tongue flicking hers, feeling the heat growing and resonating throughout her body.

"Ah… Mmh..." Several moans leaked out as his hand massaged her head, the other stroking her shoulder blade with its knuckles, teasing her. She purposely moved her body up and down, trying to get him to knead her breasts already- the damn tease.

Tamamo let out a disappointed 'aw' as his lips left hers, licking his saliva that was left on her lips, and then tilted her head back as Lucifer's mouth wandered down to her exposed neck, taking bold nips here and there on her defenseless skin. He eased his hand to graze over her relaxed shoulder, feeling its smooth and spotless surface as he suckled on her neck, leaving hickeys that Tamamo would 'wear proudly like a badge of honor' as she would say.

Nothing could put her at ease and drive her crazy at the same time like he did. Having spent a considerable amount of centuries standing by his side, accompanying him through Hell and back when it was turned into literal Hell under the rule of his stupid son. She watched him quell armies and rebellions one after another, unable to help because Lucifer deemed it wasn't right for her to interfere with the tumultuous conflicts of Hell, and also because he didn't want her to carry needless stress. And without fail, he always kept his words; to return to her side.

Tamamo no Mae had become devoted to him and him only, finding that only he could provide her with the comfort she so desired.

"Lucifer…" She breathed. Her breath was getting hotter and needier as he gave her a fervent series of pecks and kisses over her skin, leaving a red mark over the plains of her neck and just above her chest. She ran her hands across his dark hair, feeling it grazing her fingers as she whispered, "Will you stop teasing me already…"

For someone titled 'Rebellious One' by the entire Kingdom of Heaven, Lucifer was strangely compliant as he pushed her down, leaving a trail of red as he cupped her breast, and kissed the other, eventually kissing her hardened pink nipple.

Tamamo clutched his shoulders as she moaned, huffing and panting louder the more he toyed with her breasts. His hand traveled down the cloth that was covering her thighs, slid underneath it, and underneath her panties as she could feel the warmth of his fingers inside her.

She was about to complain when Lucifer suddenly stopped nipping her nipple. She changed her mind when she heard why he did that.

"My dear, you are spilling."

"Mmhmhmn~ it signifies my growing unbearable arousal towards you, clearly." She giggled in contentment before mewling as he started to finger her, in and out, softly and gently. Her moans were muffled into his mouth as he kissed her again, parting her lips and ravishing her, teasing the top of her mouth as her moan grew louder.

He paced his fingers, and her hot and bothered wet walls tightened.

"Nnnnh—!" Tamamo quivered as she came. Her toes curled, her tail and ears stiffened, and she was incapable of muttering any response more coherent than a satisfied groan. Her amber eyes glazed briefly as she relished herself in the exploding pleasure.

She groaned as Lucifer broke the kiss. A smug grin etched on his face as he could feel the hotness of her breath, and saw the scarlet red flush painting her soft cheeks. Tamamo shuddered when he pulled away his fingers off her core, nipping it once to have a taste of her transparent juices, and then slid his index and middle fingers into her mouth as she suckled on them.

Her warm tongue coiled around his fingers. Tamamo leaked indecent huffs and soft moans as she licked him, fidgeting her thighs as she felt her increasing need.

Watching her with sheer delight, Lucifer brought down his free hand under her blue cloth, rubbing her thighs before eventually inserting them inside of her.

"Ah...ah?! AH— AHN— L-Lucifer-dono, you're being too rough—!" He tore out a gasp from her lungs as he fingered her faster, rubbing her clit with his thumb, causing her back to arch as he ravaged her. Lewd wet noises filled the bedroom along with her loud moans as her juices spattered over the duvet. Her indecent moans grew louder and Tamamo began to play with her own breast, kneading it on her own since Lucifer was being a big tease.

The fox dropped on the bed, spent.

"Haah… ha… mfufufufu— thank you very much, Lucifer-sa-ma~" She purred, wiping the sweat off her brows as she stared at the Devil. He still had his smug smirk on his stupid face as he licked the fingers of his left hand that was sopping wet with her lewd juices. Seeing him tasting her in the literal manner was a massive turn on for the vixen.

"Now can you get to the main course? A.k.a, yours truly?"

Her stomach sank when she received a flat, "No."

"Wh-what?!" Her lush breasts flopped as she immediately adopted a sitting position, flustered and mad as she scolded the Devil, "Inconceivable— all we've done is spend my energy! This activity requires mutual exchange, Danna-sa-ma, and anything less than that would be unsatisfactory for both parties!"

"My dear! There's a whole new world out there I wasn't able to enjoy until today - many kemonimim—" Lucifer decided he wasn't that articulate at Japanese tongue twisting words, "humanoids with animal features that I may yet to see! Can you hear their calling? 'Pet me, pet me'... A copious amount of fuzziness and fleeciness waiting for comfort only this set of hands can grant…"

She peered at his hands, and though she wholeheartedly support that notion about his hands' heavenly touches, she couldn't just shrug over the fact of what he was bound to do.

"But you're willing yourself to become their prisoner!" Tamamo whined, worried, "I should've let Janey incinerate the whole of them or incite my own divine judgment upon them before they even set foot into your castle. I'd rather expire than to let you become their prisoner, Luuucifer-sama!"

She lunged at him, smothering his face between her healthy pair of breasts as she hugged his head, clinging at him with the stubbornness of a mule.

"Kyaauhn-!" The Kitsune flinched as Lucifer nipped her chest. She let him go as she looked at him with a betrayed look, "That hurts! ...I think I quite like it, actually..."

"Oooh, kinky." Lucifer commented, "But no. I've held up my guests long enough. You're more important to me than this entire nation, Tamae. I'm doing this so I would never have to oversee it 24/7 because it keeps getting uninvited guests every time I want to take a vacation. Once this is over, I have all the time in the world to entertain your needs and tend to your fluff. Mmm fluff… rosey scent today?"

Tamamo let him nuzzle her tail, appreciative that he noted her new conditioner she put to use, but that wouldn't stop her from complaining.

"But Lucifer… What about me? I want to come with you… Who will compliment my cooking when you're away?! Jeanne? Kuroka?! Those two know nothing about the refined taste of my cuisines! They can simply eat rice and tuna and call it a 'good meal'!"

"Then come!" Lucifer said plainly as he got off the emperor-sized bed - which was enough for 5 people, which was one more than needed since, contrary to popular belief who thought he had a harem that rivaled Solomon's colossal collection of wives and consorts, Lucifer had only three lovers who all loved him in their own, special ways.

"Let us all have a field trip to the human world. The more the merrier, eh? I'm sure it'll all be fine."

Tamamo drooped her ears. "...But what if they still hate me?"

"Sweetling, it's been seven centuries." Lucifer pointed out as he scrounged the giant drawer, taking out a bright blue suitcase with rollers, "The people who don't like you are likely to have been turned into fossilized remains. Besides, I'm THE Devil! People won't have time to hate you when they hate me more!"

Frowning, Tamamo crawled to the edge of the bed, watching him manually arrange his clothes neatly into the suitcase. He put extra care when fitting in his ties, placing them neatly on top of his shirts. He could have just used magic to take care of these mundane things for him, but he seemed to enjoy tidying up without the help of magecraft.

Strange but true. The Devil seemed to have taken a liking in small mundane things.

"I'm not yet convinced." She muttered, "Convince me, Devil-sama."

Lucifer chuckled. If it was corniness she wanted then corniness she should receive. "If you weigh the amount of hate you receive into a scale, I'll make sure my love will tip the balance."

Swishing her tail, Tamamo emitted her happy vulpine noises, which sounded more like a squeal mixed with the yipping of a fox, setting her mind to become Lucifer's travelling companion on his journey as a 'prisoner'.

Break

The Devil and the Fox Avatar of the Shinto Sun Goddess strolled down the castle's hall. It was rather short and modestly decorated for a castle renovated for the Archdevil. Pretty, neat, clean, red carpeted, and several grey statues because the Satans would have kept complaining about him not having enough statues. The 'Overlord's castle was equipped with only a spangle of bedrooms and guest bedrooms, but receiving and hosting guests were more of the Satans' duties rather than the Archdevil.

In other words, the Archdevil was too lazy to keep guests entertained.

Why should he entertain foreign guests when he could entertain his loving girls whilst sincerely entertaining himself?! Two birds one stone indeed, or two girls one Archdevil. Rarely three. Jeanne was rather… conservative.

During their gait, one sharply dressed Devil was observing a giant painting of a hellscape. Two armies of Devils clashed, a legion against another legion. In the rightmost part of the painting was the famed Grand Commander Lucifer himself. The painting was depicting the downfall of the previous Lucifer's reign by the original Lucifer, as it was in this battle he severed his own son's head from his shoulders.

"Ah! Lucy!" hearing her pet name, the Devil spun around, dressed in a well-fitting black suit with red shirt beneath it, and a matte black tie tucked in the middle. A glass of vintage wine rested between her delicate fingers.

Her hair was white as untainted snow, but her eyes were as red as the blood moon. The half-grin that was the trademark of the Lucifers graced her lips beautifully, and the air of calmness and smooth arrogance exuded from the beautiful lady.

"Luci. Mistress." She dipped her head as acknowledgement, and again as she addressed her grandfather's fox wife. Elegance was practically sewed into her words. "I see the two of you are as inseparable as ever. In good health, I hope?"

"Of course!" Tamamo quirkily replied, clinging onto Lucifer's arm, "How about you, Lucifer darling. Found that special someone yet?"

Due to her pale ashen skin, the Devil's deep shade of red was easily noticeable as it reached her ears. "I-I'm a businesswoman. I tend to my business and my clients."

"Oya? Why not get a man and you can be his only client. Maybe he'll make chocolate pancakes for you everyday, Lucia~!" Tamamo tittered, enjoying every second of the Devil's embarrassment since the Archdevil was quite… resistant to teases.

Thankfully, his remaining descendants were easily provoked.

"But aww… won't your last name change to something else then? You better marry someone with a nice family name that goes along well with Ysabel."

She took a sip of her wine to calm her nerves, and another sip, emptying it dry before replying, "Don't be ridiculous… Nothing in this plane of existence can ever hope to change my last name."

"Awww, so you do consider marrying someday!'

"Wh-wh— th-that's not what I—"

"What if I ask you nicely?" Asked the Archdevil, full of teases that were cleverly hidden in his flat tone and solemn expression.

Ysabel Lucifer paled, her skin went blanched white and the life in her eyes seemed like it was stolen. A metaphorical cloud of depression hung atop her spiky hair ornaments.

"I-if that is your decree, then…"

"I'm pulling your leg, sweetheart." Lucifer sniggered softly as he patted her white hair, embarrassing the young Lucifer even more. "Hell would freeze over for me to do that to you."

Tamamo had the same look on her face whenever she or Lucifer successfully reduced any proud Lucifer into a blubbering mess from light teasing alone. Vali was her most favorite subject because he just couldn't handle her smotherings. She would never tell that to Ysabel, however, lest she got a little green with jealousy.

"What day is it… Friday?" Lucifer wondered, taking his hand off the other Lucifer's crown. "Have you seen Zdrada and Malina? They should be on active hall duty."

"They should be, if today isn't your nationwide work-free day."

"Ah yes..." Lucifer nodded. The day where everyone was allowed to take a paid day off, or take a quick leave from their work, and just spend a long weekend with their family and loved ones. A very popular holiday that easily increased his approval rating from the working class. Initially not as popular among the nobles who preferred to have their coffers raised everyday, but they eventually gave in due to some unforeseen circumstances; they actually spent time with their neglected family, and liked it. Strange but true.

"What about you, Luci?" Having emptied her glass, the wineglass perished into black powders as it dissipated in the air. "I noticed a band of misguided Heroes were on our doorstep so early in the morning. Eager to be flayed alive, I presume…" the lady sighed, "Did you get them to pledge their soul to you? Or shall I?"

"No, no, no. None of that Faustian bargain today, sweetling. My guests are not to become your clients - we've established this long ago." Lucifer reminded her. He was more like an uncle compared to a doting grandfather to Ysabel. Regardless, he was easily Ysabel's favorite family member - since there were only three of them left to begin with, and since he was the only Lucifer who would listen to her...

"Oh, and by the way, I would be off for a couple of months and likely more. Do take care of the Cerberuses, will you. You know those rowdy cubs listen only to us."

"They'll listen to Jeanne too." Ysabel cocked her head, clasping her elbows. Handling the Cerberuses was the least of her worry.

When a Lucifer commands; Demons obey.

Her biggest worry had to do with the simple fact that she would be the only Lucifer left in the castle. Not that she would ever say that outright.

"What for?"

"Foreign affairs… relationship building between realms… Outer-realm affairs - I suppose it would make. Jeanne's coming along I'd wager."

"Shouldn't Serafall take care of this one then, Luci?" Ysabel blinked, "And months? That sounds excessively extensive for international relationships. Who is it with? The Asgardians?"

"Chaldea." Lucifer replied bluntly as if he was describing the weather.

Ysabel would have dropped her glass of wine if she hadn't dematerialized it.

"Excuse me?" Now worried beyond words, her tone lost its composure, riddled with concern and fear at the idea that her closest relative would be travelling deep into the enemy's territory for Lucifer knows what. "The so-called 'Last Bastion of Humanity'? Aren't they the ones who've sent countless of Heroes here— wait… don't tell me that's exactly why?"

She had always been such a sweet granddaughter, albeit a little bit dishonest with her feelings. Always the quick one too. Lucifer wondered if she could be a good Archdevil when he filed for retirement - a permanent one.

"'Course it is." Lucifer smiled warmly, and quickly smiled brilliantly to lift her souring mood. "It'll be fine! There lies more humans with fluffy ears and tails! Not to mention they can bring Heroic Spirits from the past and alternate worlds as well!"

"...Y-yes… I suppose it is." Ysabel muttered. The previous bands of Heroes were the ones who willingly told him about that sensitive information, but that aside, she never understood her grandfather's obsession with what he'd describe as 'fluffy things' or whatever 'fluffiness meter' could mean. Middle age crisis perhaps? But Lucifer didn't age… Unlike other Devils or Demons or Fallen Angels, he was… well, immortal. A mortal wound could kill him still, but time simply passed by him, never bogging him down.

"I've discussed this matter with the Satans - Sirzechs and Serafall specifically… While I'm away, kindly assist them, would you, Lucy? Pick up a few things you may or may not have learned from me. All of this will be yours one day."

Her crimson eyes softened, and she replied with a soft smile and a nod. The recurring issues with Chaldea was something he must see done - this she understood. She had lost count of the amount of times Lucifer would stay up late so that all the damages done by the Heroes were quickly reimbursed on the same day. As his Treasurer, Ysabel was the only one outside the Satans to stay in his office, keeping track of which road should be fixed first, which buildings needed repairs and the cost for each individual building. She and Sirzechs were the only ones sitting by a desk next to his, working all she could until she fell asleep, and woke up the next day on her bed, finding all of her work was done by him and the Crimson Satan.

She loved him, of course. She couldn't imagine a single Demon or Devil who could hate their benign, humble ruler. But she loved him not because he didn't throw her away like Rizevim did when he wanted a son. Not because he was the First Lucifer. Not because he let others refer to her as 'Luci' or 'Lucy' instead of Ysabel because she wanted to be just like him. She didn't love him out of fear, but simply because she respected him, and knew that he respected her as much as he adored her.

"I shall do no less."

"Good lass." Lucifer ruffled her white hair, making her squirm under his hold as he messed up her flat bangs. "I'll be off then. You know how hard it is to wake that cat… Hold the fort for me here till my triumphant return, won't you? And don't you overwork yourself you sneaky Devil. You have Demons - although Pandemonica seems tired."

"I'll see to it, and that's simply how she is. She's a caffeine addict, that one." She giggled tenderly, "Leave without worry, Lucifer."

"Hah! Me? Worried?! Never!" With a boisterous laughter, Lucifer continued his walk down the hall.

"Ta~ta for now, Lucia-chan~" Tamamo then hugged her, practically squeezing her. "I'll watch him very closely."

"Y-yes, thank you, Mistress—" Ysabel managed, exhaling a hefty sigh once the fox lady scampered away to join Lucifer. She let her eyes and mind lingered at the couple for a moment, watching Tamamo's tail swaying side to side in excitement, and Lucifer's broad shoulders and the smile that seemed to always be present on his face.

Ysabel would miss them. She knew she would. Another reason for her to focus on her job and be taken away by busyness.

Seemed like she would need another drink again later tonight… Maybe she should persuade Malina and Zdrada to come by for a visit. Serafall might join too. She didn't understand those 'Veedeeo Games' Malina would always argue about with Serafall, but she had a feeling watching them fight would be an amusing entertainment. Not that she was lonely that her favorite Devil in Hell was going to be away, of course, she just wanted someone to ensure she didn't get too drunk again.

But for now, she should find where in hell those Cerberuses were.

Her mind was temporarily taken aback when she overheard Tamamo whispering "She's so cute.", and her blush quickly set a camp on her cheeks when she heard Lucifer's reply; "I know, right?".

The younger Lucifer then brisk-walked to the Archdevil's office, deciding to search for the guard dogs from Hades there, and hope that no one saw her face.

Break

Without the occupant's approval, Tamamo barged inside a room that was located a few feet away from his master bedroom, bashing the door open as the resting room-dweller immediately jumped off her bed, digging her claws on the ceiling as she stared at the fox with a great hatred from her glowing amber eyes.

"RISE AND MEET MY SHINE, MY UNSWEET FELINE!"

Said feline hissed angrily before loosening her grip on the innocent ceiling. Lucifer would need to get those tiny holes patched up.

Again…

For the fourth time this week…

Nobody knew being the Archdevil would be this taxing on his personal wallet.

All the more reason as to why this vacation- ahem… peace establishment was necessary. That, or he should forbid Tamamo from rousing Kuroka from her sleep with less than peaceful means. The other day, the cat chased after the fox after she was dumped with a bucket of ice cold water.

It was hilarious, but the scratch marks on his wallpaper were not found to be hilarious by his Chief Financial Officer of Hell, namely, Ysabel.

"Mikon~!" Tamamo swiftly ducked under a flying pillow as Lucifer caught it with his face. "Good heavens… look at this disheveled cretin before you, Danna-sama. Here we are, fully equipped for our incursion, and yet here she lays catnapping without any intention to do anything productive."

Grumpily, Kuroka burrowed herself under her blankets, yelling "FUCK OFF!". Understandable. She was never a morning person, and never would be.

"Ohohoho~ you heard the cat Lucifer-sama~ let us enjoy our second honeymoon alone and without reservation nor needless baggage!"

Hearing her jovial chiming, Kuroka's head popped out from her duvet, although the rest of her body was still tucked inside it.

"You wot." She blinked, squinting her eyes to not draw too much light from the hallway. "MRRROWWW—!" she retreated back into the covers when Tamamo cruelly flicked the light switch, brightening the messy bedroom that somehow always became messy no matter how many times the maids had tidied them up.

Lucifer smirked, but he switched the lights back off. "We're going to the surface, my dear; Earth."

"Nnnnggg-geeeeehhh…" Kuroka grumbled incoherently, smooshing her face through a small opening of her shell, revealing her drowsy, ticked-off look and her messy black hair. "What for?"

"Peaceworks!"

"Wow! Sounds boring nyan!" The Nekoshous quipped chipperly, shuffling back inside her blanket. "Count me out."

"You sure?" Lucifer tempted. The Kitsune was perfectly fine with the Nekoshou's disagreement. More time for her, for all she cared. "We'll be away for… several months, perhaps."

"WHAT?!" That earned her full attention, waking her up in an instant. "You can't do that!" Kuroka protested, her unkempt pink cat onesie with white belly in full view, "Whose bright idea is this?! Is it you, pervy mongrel?!"

Tamamo narrowed her eyes. Golden met golden. "Watch what you're saying, deadbeat mouser, my claws are as sharp as yours."

"My tits are bigger than yours."

Lucifer made a shrugging look with his face that clearly supported Kuroka's defense.

"My tail is fluffier than yours!"

Lucifer made another face. Tamamo did have an unparalleled advantage when it came down to tails.

"My ears are bigger than yours." Kuroka replied smoothly, wriggling her black-furred ears to emphasize her point.

Again, Lucifer nodded approvingly. Her thin black fur of her feline ears were soft and fuzzy. Not something an expensive velvety blanket could hope to replace. This was not to say Tamamo's ears weren't as calming; those tufts of white ball of fur tucked between her chestnut ear that looked like cotton ear muffs were irresistibly adorable, but they were highly sensitive. He could pet Kuroka's more whereas Tamamo would have very much likely gone into heat.

"I cook better than you!" And unlike the former Kyuubi now a Kitsune, Kuroka was more resistant to teases and able to control her emotions better, as shown by the fact that Tamamo would raise her tone while Kuroka would always retain her mischievous tone in a room voice.

"I last longer in bed than you."

"Wh— w-well I— w-w-well I—!" Flabbergasted, Tamamo turned to Lucifer as she wept into his chest, "Waaaaah— Daaannaa-samaaaa! She's being a meanie…! I can satisfy you just fine in bed as I satisfy your stomach yes? Yes?!"

Lucifer stroked her head as he stared at her bully, exchanging a satisfied smug grin with one another, each party remorseless to a fault.

"Now now, girls, at the end of the day, we all know I am the most endearing." He said without a speck of shame, earning a half-lidded stare and look of exasperation from both of the girls. "What? It's true."

"Well. You're not wrong." Giggling, Tamamo nuzzled his chest as her tail swayed left and right, pissing off Kuroka by her happiness as the Nekoshou suddenly felt a sudden feline desire to swat her fox tail.

And Kuroka being Kuroka, which is to say, always going after what she wants, she did just that.

The pink-clad Nekoshou leapt off her bed as she pounced before the fox, landed behind her, and whacked her moving tail with a strike of her hand.

"Eeeek!" Tamamo yipped in surprise at the mistreatment of her sensitive lower part, and instinctively hid behind Lucifer as she climbed the Archdevil, sitting on his shoulders as she tucked her tail over her thighs and around his neck, forming a makeshift live-scarf that was priceless beyond all values. "Insolent cur! Stay off my tail! That part of mine is strictly his and his only to touch and play with! Don't you have a ball of yarn to occupy yourself with?!"

"I like live prey more nyan." With a satisfied, victorious, mischievous smirk, Kuroka stood up before the Archdevil, eyeing the girl on top of him before eyeing his scarlet eyes.

"Help me pack my things, nyes~?" She purred, tippy-toeing to peck a quick kiss on his lips. As Lucifer scratched her ears with the fleshy tip of his fingers, careful to not use his nails, Kuroka licked his lips once in a playful manner.

But she then narrowed her eyes immediately in disgust.

"Ew." She grimaced, "You taste like her."

While Lucifer grinned a hintful grin, Tamamo had smirked a smug smirk. "How do you enjoy the taste of my love?"

Her arrogant look fell as her stomach knotted, and Kuroka spat out the kiss. "...Y-you bastard! Smarmy cheeky mutt! Bleggghhh- ptoo, ptoo! Ew fox slobbers ew ew ew!"

"Hah!" Lucifer laughed chestily, fully knowing that even this was an act to rile the fox. He knew this since he had seen them kiss each other and wrestling with their tongue because they wanted to show him who was the better kisser. Four out of five times, Kuroka would win. Lucifer believed her dominance was due to Tamamo's weak resistance, but he wouldn't steal her thunder like that.

What was important was that he remained the best kisser. He was a giver, after all.

"Good then! You're coming." Grabbing Tamamo by her waist, Lucifer lifted her off him, lowering her down after incidentally lifting up her skirt with his head. There was no reaction from either parties, purely because they were used to it. "Have Tamae help you with your stuff; I — need to see Janey."

Tamamo flattened her ears. "Eeeeehhh… Are you sacrificing me Aruji-dono?"

"Heeeeee~? Not gonna help me out?"

"Yes and no." Lucifer replied with a lighthearted tune. "And no, your combined 'puppy eyes' are ineffective this time." They almost never worked as they believed. Lucifer let their pouty look sway his decision only when he knew it would be fine to be swayed and wouldn't interfere with an urgent matter. He knew his priorities. "Now don't make me wait. Kindly take a shower first, Kuroka."

"Ya sayin' I smell nyan?"

Lucifer smiled softly. "Yes, darling, you do smell." Kuroka's smile fell into a scowl. "You slept for almost an entire day- you smell sluggish."

"Ha ha, smelly cat, smelly cat."

Kuroka shot an irritated glare at the fox who was dancing with her hips, but nonetheless didn't complain. Not at her anyway.

"...Well it's summer and summer sucks balls. The days are longer and hotter."

"You vulgar sloth… you say the same thing for winter." Tamamo pointed out in a reprimanding tone, "The nights are long and cold and full of terrors - whatever that means."

"Egghh…" Kuroka slouched her shoulders, "Make the seasons permanently autumn and I'll quit whining."

"Then there'll be no harvest." Lucifer said, ending the argument with a tone of finality. "Come now. I've let my detainers wait long enough." Kuroka shot a confused look at Tamamo at the word 'detainers', but didn't care enough yet to ask. "I'll bring my bag and Tamae's. You take a shower and she'll help you wash your body. Twice the people twice as fast aye? Once done, come to my office. Be quick, or I'll have Jeanne fetch for you lot."

With that, Lucifer walked back into the hallway, marching to his bedroom.

"..." "..."

Well. Either one of them could maybe subdue the Fallen Saintess with their magic. Maybe. Maybe their combined magic could match her raw power. But never her temper. Never her temper.

Jeanne was concerningly temperament with a monstrous strength and a stubbornness to complement it, and downright sadistic tendencies that would always likely to shadow her wrath. It didn't help that Jeanne would stop at nothing to achieve something once she had her mind set at it - unless Lucifer convinced her otherwise, that is.

Unlike the two, she actively participated in Lucifer's legion. Fighting in the vanguard with a fervor that blazed the spirits of the allied soldiers behind her and inspiring dread and fear to the enemies in front of her that hadn't turned tails when they saw her standard; the cursed standard bearing the flag of the Lucifer's Legion. Held on her left hand while her right hand brandished her Hellforged blade, severing bodies left and right and relished herself in her unholy purging, establishing her moniker as Lucifer's Dread Saintess without intending to.

She liked killing, and she was brutally good at it.

Her power could easily grant her a position higher than a mere bodyguard - if not for the fact that she herself insisted to remain as just that. Fiercely loyal to the Archdevil. Savagely loyal, perhaps. And both Tamamo and Kuroka could see why.

It was believed that every Overlord would have that 'Dragon Minion'; the penultimate challenge all Heroes must face before confronting the Big Bad. Someone who would kill for their Overlord and sometimes, before the Overlord even gave the order. Quite frequently in those kinds of stories, they would be feared more than the Overlord himself.

Jeanne was that 'Dragon'.

Although the last bit wasn't true. Many feared Jeanne because she was always angry. Lucifer almost never let anger cloud him, but when he did - at the rarest occasion he allowed Wrath take over him - not even Crom Cruach would want to be on the wrong side. As the saying goes 'Beware of him that is slow to anger. Weathered patience may become the storm'. That, and 'should Lucifer manifest into the Incarnation of Wrath; run'.

Jeanne D'arc was not Lucifer; she couldn't turn the Seven Deadly Sins into raw power, but she was still pretty scary when angry, and because she could and would drag both Kuroka and Tamamo by their tails.

Shudders. Such savage brute…

Suffice to say, the two Bearers of Fluffs scampered into Kuroka's bathroom.

To be continued...

Next chapter: The Archdevil meets sadistic Jeanne and 3 Cerberuses watching over 3 antsy Heroines, and finally get on a trip to Chaldea and move on to the next arc.

And yes. I did add Helltaker's casts cameos to my fic because I wanted to. Why? Because cute sharply dressed Devils of course! Aaand because this story is pretty flexible.

Lemme know your thoughts so far.

If there's any Fate servant you rarely see in fanfics and you would like to see and read and watch if I can write them in character when they meet the Archdevil, then go for broke. Same applies for DxD casts, although I don't find them to be as nearly interesting as Fate's casts. Boringly flat characters is to blame, I suppose :pepederp:

N-no, this isn't a sneaky method to increase my review count. I don't know what you're talking about :monkaS:

So basically, this fic is basically a fluff fulfilling fic with intermittent plot - which is better than the Holy Grail imo. It has its own plot, and hopefully, it's equally engaging as Lucifer's interactions with the Servants.

Discord link if you wanna hit up with other writers from various fandoms, me included: discord. gg/V54pcwA